After several years of wait due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial difficulties, NASA has finally given the green light to launch the Dragonfly interplanetary mission to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The announcement of the launch of this ambitious mission, planned for 2028, was made after careful analysis and long discussions.

Located approximately 1.2 billion kilometers from Earth, Titan is one of the most mysterious objects in the solar system. The complexity of the research attracts the attention of scientists, despite the high costs and technical difficulties. In addition to being Saturn’s largest moon, Titan is the second largest moon in the Solar System and the only moon of the two with an atmosphere denser than Earth’s.

Of particular interest is the chemical composition of Titan’s atmosphere, saturated with nitrogen and methane. These chemical components, transformed under the influence of solar radiation, form complex organic compounds that fall on the surface, creating a unique environment, possibly suitable for life. It is believed that liquid water may be hiding under dense cloud cover and methane oceans on Titan.

But exploring such a complex area requires an innovative approach. Conventional landing modules are not suitable for Titan due to its “swampy” surface. That’s why NASA developed the Dragonfly flying vehicle instead of the rover. It is equipped with an MMRTG radioisotope thermoelectric generator and aluminum-titanium rotors that will enable it to fly by performing a detailed study of Titan’s landscape and atmosphere.

Dragonfly is designed not only for collaborative research but also to study Titan’s organic chemistry and look for biological signatures; However, Titan is generally not considered a good candidate for extraterrestrial life. Rather, it is seen as an example of the “primordial broth” that, according to scientists, led to the emergence of life on Earth.

Dragonfly is equipped with a wide range of instruments, including radiation backscatter sensors, a mass spectrometer, and tools for analyzing weather conditions and seismic data, which will provide a more complete picture of Titan’s composition and structure.

According to Nicky Fox, deputy administrator of NASA’s Science Missions Division, the Dragonfly mission will open new horizons in the study of interplanetary objects and increase awareness of conditions that could possibly support life in other parts of the solar system. Dragonfly is expected to arrive on Titan in 2034.